1. What is the purpose of the C-bot, an autonomous underwater vehicle, launched by the CSIR- NIO in Goa?
A. Space Exploration
B. Monitoring coral reefs
C. Agricultural Research
D. Air Quality Measurement
- The Goa-based CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) launched C-bot, an autonomous underwater vehicle for monitoring coral reefs. The vehicle is also known as the Coral Reef Monitoring and Surveillance Robot. C-bot is a robot with advanced features for increased surveillance over the coral reefs. It can travel to a depth of 200 meters underwater.
2. Dr Radhakrishnan Committee is related to which one of the following reforms?
A. Agricultural Reforms
B. Educational Reforms
C. Tax Reforms
D. Banking Reforms
- The Ministry of Education recently approved reforms in Higher Education Institutions’ accreditation system based on recommendations from the Dr Radhakrishnan Committee.
- The Composite Assessment System (CAS) merges Program and Institutional Accreditation, introducing Binary Accreditation. NAAC aims to implement this in four months, with no new applications under the old system. Maturity-Based Graded Accreditation from Level 1 to 5 will be enforced by December 2024. Additionally, a unified One Nation One Data Platform and “Stakeholder validation” are proposed for transparent accreditation processes.
3. The tableau themed “Bharat: Mother of Democracy” clinched 1st place at the Republic Day 2024. It was associated with which ministry?
A. Ministry of Defence
B. Ministry of Culture
C. Ministry of Finance
D. Ministry of Home Affairs
- The Ministry of Culture’s tableau, themed “Bharat: Mother of Democracy”, won first prize at the 75th Republic Day parade in 2024. The tableau showcased the evolution of democracy from ancient India to modern times. The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) announced the win. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ tableau, depicting “vibrant villages”, won second prize.
4. What is the rank of India in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023?
A. 93
B. 83
C. 91
D. 81
- According to a Transparency International report, India ranked 93 out of 180 countries in the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The CPI is published annually by Transparency International, a non-governmental organization. The CPI ranks countries on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean) based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption.
5. Who has been appointed as the first woman chief secretary of Uttarakhand?
A. Radha Raturi
B. Kusum Kandwal
C. Kamini Gupta
D. Geeta Khanna
- Radha Raturi, a senior IAS officer of the 1988 batch, has been appointed as the first woman chief secretary of Uttarakhand. She replaces Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and is the first woman to hold this top administrative post in the state.
6. According to Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) report, which state/UT has the highest number of snow leopard?
A. Ladakh
B. Jammu and Kashmir
C. Himachal Pradesh
D. Sikkim
- Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav released India’s first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment report.
- The four-year-long scientific exercise, coordinated by the Wildlife Institute of India, estimates approximately 718 snow leopards in the wild. Ladakh leads with 477, followed by Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (nine). India holds 10-15% of the global snow leopard population.
7. Salher fort, Shivneri fort and Panhala fort are located in which Indian state?
A. Madhya Pradesh
B. Maharashtra
C. Karnataka
D. Rajasthan
- India has proposed the “Maratha Military Landscapes of India” for UNESCO World Heritage List recognition in 2024-25. Developed between the 17th and 19th centuries, these military landscapes showcase an exceptional fortification system envisioned by Maratha rulers.
- The network of forts, spanning the Sahyadri mountain ranges, Konkan Coast, Deccan Plateau, and Eastern Ghats, integrates distinctive landscapes. Notable components include Salher fort, Shivneri fort, Raigad, Vijaydurg, and others. The Maratha Military ideology, dating from the 17th century, continued until Peshwa rule in 1818 CE.
8. Which ministry has released the report titled “The Indian Economy: A Review”?
A. Ministry of Agriculture
B. Ministry of Commerce & Industry
C. Ministry of Finance
D. Ministry of Home Affairs
- The Ministry of Finance released a report titled The Indian Economy: A Review in January 2024. The report was released a few days before the Union Budget for 2024-25 was presented in Parliament on February 1. The Ministry of Finance is made up of five divisions: Economic Affairs, Revenue, Expenditures, Investment and Public Asset Management, and Financial Services.
9. Eravikulam National Park is located in which state?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Odisha
D. Karnataka
- Eravikulam National Park in Kerala’s Idukki district, closing for the Nilgiri tahr’s calving season, hosts diverse flora and fauna. Declared a National Park in 1978, it spans 97 sq.km, featuring Anamudi, the highest peak of the Western Ghats. Famous for the “Neelakurinji” flower blooming every twelve years, the park experiences heavy monsoons.
10. Recently, which state government has signed a MoU with NTPC for green hydrogen and renewable energy development?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Rajasthan
C. Maharashtra
D. Haryana
- NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government for the development of green hydrogen and renewable energy. The MoU includes the development of green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as green ammonia and green methanol, with a capacity of up to 1 million tons per year. The MoU also includes the development of renewable energy projects and pumped storage projects of 2 GW.
11. “Bharat 5G Portal- an integrated portal” is launched by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Communication
B. Ministry of Finance
C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
D. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- The Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, unveiled the “Bharat 5G Portal” during ‘Bharat Telecom 2024.’ This integrated platform focuses on quantum, 6G, IPR, and 5G domains. In collaboration with PANIIT USA, it introduces the Future Tech-Experts registration portal to support India’s Telecom ecosystem. The portal serves as a centralized hub for quantum, IPR, PoCs/Pilot, 5G, and 6G, promoting innovation, collaboration.
12. Where was the first ‘National Conference on Promotion of Seaweed Cultivation’ held?
A. Rameshwaram
B. Kutch
C. Ahmedabad
D. Thiruvananthapuram
- The National Conference on Promotion of Seaweed Cultivation, chaired by the Union Minister of Fisheries in Koteshwar, Kutch, Gujarat, showcased diverse seaweed cultivation methods (Monoline, tube-net, and rafts).
- CMFRI, CSMCRI, and NFDB demonstrated these techniques. Seaweeds, macroscopic algae lacking true roots and leaves, thrive in marine and coastal waters. They are classified into four groups based on pigments that absorb specific wavelengths of light. The event aimed at fostering seaweed development and enhancing awareness about its potential in India.
